Super Falcons head coach, Justin Madugu, has expressed confidence that Nigeria will rise to the occasion in their decisive 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Group B encounter against Egypt, insisting the team is fully prepared for the high-stakes fixture.
A victory over the North Africans will secure Nigeria’s place in the quarter-finals, and Madugu said the players understand the importance of the contest and are determined to finish the job.
“We are good to go. The team is in high spirits, and we’re getting ready for the next game. We all know what is at stake and are doing our best to ensure we get the right result that will take us to the next stage of the competition.”
The coach revealed that the technical crew has carefully assessed every possible qualification outcome but stressed that the Super Falcons want to qualify without relying on results elsewhere.
“We have gone through all the possible permutations that can get us through, and we know exactly which scenarios will qualify us. We want our fate to remain in our own hands and not depend on anybody else.”
Addressing discussions surrounding his squad selection, Madugu highlighted the importance of experienced players, saying their influence extends far beyond what supporters see during matches.
“There are many ingredients that make a team successful.
“Football is not only about what happens on the pitch; there are other qualities players bring to the team, including leadership, guidance, team bonding, harmony, and experience. We understand the roles our experienced players play, both on and off the pitch.”
He also welcomed the healthy competition within the squad, describing it as a challenge that benefits the team.
“Having good players in the team is a good headache. We have to analyse many things, discuss and assess performances in training before deciding who plays.”
Defender Osinachi Ohale echoed her coach’s confidence, saying the players are focused on improving after their first two group matches and are fully aware of what is required against Egypt.
Responding to criticism of Nigeria’s defensive communication after the opening game, Ohale maintained that teamwork and constant communication remain central to the team’s approach.
“We always communicate, we always talk to ourselves. Communication is not left for one person; it’s a team thing. We tried to correct our mistakes from the first game and you could see that in our last game against Zambia. We’ll continue to build from there.”
The experienced defender also dismissed concerns about external criticism, saying the squad remains united and committed to supporting one another.
“We are all professionals and we know what is expected of us. We are a family. When one is down, everyone tries to bring that person up.”
Reflecting on her motivation to continue representing Nigeria, Ohale said her desire to succeed with the national team has not diminished as she aims to add another continental title to her collection.
“It’s still the same passion and the same love for the game. We keep pushing and make sure we take the sixth one for myself and the 11th one for the country.”
Nigeria head into the final round of Group B fixtures level on three points with Zambia, while Malawi lead the standings with six points. Egypt remain without a point.
The Super Falcons will face Egypt at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat at 9 p.m., while Malawi and Zambia meet simultaneously, with both quarter-final tickets still up for grabs.
